Indian society is characterized by a caste system. Each member gets a caste with his birth rights and duties which it passes on to his children. Nearly 170 million people belong to the lowest caste and they live in conditions that must be described as inhuman. These people call themselves Dalits – the broken people – and that says sadly all. The representatives of the dominant castes, but also the police and other state institutions, which must normally provide the Dalit in accordance with the Constitution for the protection of Dalit abusing their positions without ever being punished for it.
Especially in the country side it is terrible. Important things to survive such as land, water and roofs over their heads are out of reach of the Dalit. The children will be sold because of financial debts of the parents as slaves to dominant high-caste creditors. Those ones, who can stay with their parents, are placed in the school classes in the last corner of the room to avoid any contact with the children of higher castes. Entering the public temple and the use of public water sources are not allowed for the Dalit. The removal of dead animals, human excrement and the like are the only work available to them. Dalit girls and women experience the worst forms of sexual violence, which they often do not survive.
To know what to do depends on accurate knowledge of current events. The NCDHR knows this and so their involvement is mainly based on the insight into current events that befall the people.
Only when she sees the people and understands his need, an organization can act on its meaning. Only then it is possible to convince the state and give him the opportunity to see things, to understand them and act accordingly. The NCDHR tried very hard to change these horrible conditions. The NCDHR will do anything to distract world attention on the living conditions of Dalits. It is a fight for the freedom of the Dalits and the recovery of their human dignity!